title: Risk of high dietary calcium for arterial calcification in older adults.
abstract: Concern has recently arisen about the potential adverse effects of excessive calcium intakes, i.e., calcium loading from supplements, on arterial calcification and risks of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in older adults. Published reports that high calcium intakes in free-living adults have relatively little or no beneficial impact on bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture rates suggest that current recommendations of calcium for adults may be set too high. Because even healthy kidneys have limited capability of eliminating excessive calcium in the diet, the likelihood of soft-tissue calcification may increase in older adults who take calcium supplements, particularly in those with age or disease-related reduction in renal function. The maintenance of BMD and bone health continues to be an important goal of adequate dietary calcium consumption, but eliminating potential risks of CVDs from excessive calcium intakes needs to be factored into policy recommendations for calcium by adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. jjb_anderson@unc.edu.
authors.forename: John J B
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Klemmer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone